Philippine Navy and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) together with United States military builders conducted the humanitarian and civic assistance part of the recently ended US-PH KAMANDAG exercise.
Japanese forces joined the exercise proper as observers.
KAMANDAG helped maintain a high level of readiness and enhanced bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities between participating armed forces.
During the KAMANDAG US Marines, Japan Ground Self Defense Force Soldiers, and Philippine Navy Seabees carried out construction projects to benefit local communities in Casiguran, Aurora. This included the construction of classrooms.
KAMANDAG ended October 11. The JGSDF were officially observers of the exercise and only helped with the humanitarian civic assistance activities.